Letter to the Editor (Tri-City News)
October 9.2007

My Record On Infrastructure & Defending B.C.

Liberal candidate Michelle Hassen recently wrote a letter criticizing my record on infrastructure and my work on behalf of my constituents.  In case Ms. Hassen isn’t aware, our government has committed more money to infrastructure projects in the Tri-Cities in our one term in office than any single government in my lifetime.  Projects include $90 million for the new Pitt River Bridge, $65 million for the new North Fraser Perimeter Road in Coquitlam, $1.5 million for Anmore’s East Road, $1 million for the new Port Moody arena, $1 million for Rocky Point Park’s renovations, and a number of other projects.  I am proud of my record of achieving results for the Tri-Cities and I am prepared to have my constituents render their judgment on my work in Parliament.

Also, I am, and always have been, a supporter of rapid transit to our community.  Ms. Hassen should know that the route, technology, and financing of such a system are the decision of TransLink.  When the new TransLink board is in place, and when there is clear community consensus on route, technology and financing (currently there is not) I will gladly represent the views of my constituents and work to make effective, financially responsible rapid transit to our community a reality.

Ms. Hassen also suggests in her letter that the Liberal Party of Canada has a record to be proud of in B.C.  She ought to re-examine the facts.  In this Parliament, the Liberal Party of Canada voted against our budget and the funding of $1 billion for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.  The Liberals voted against B.C.’s interests by saying ‘no’ to the Softwood Lumber Agreement and the return of $5 billion in illegal American duties.  The Liberals voted against the $1 billion we’ve committed to fight B.C.’s Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic.  The Liberals also voted against funding for flood protection by dredging on the Fraser River, against reducing the GST to 6%, against 6 new Coast Guard Vessels for B.C., and, the Liberals voted against our plan to give British Columbia 7 more seats in the House of Commons so we can have fair representation in Parliament.  Perhaps this track record of ignoring B.C.’s interests helps explain why Tri-City residents have only elected one Liberal MP since 1953.

Our Conservative Government has stood up for British Columbia’s interests and we will continue to do so.  I am proud of my record of serving my constituents and representing the Tri-Cities in Parliament.

James Moore MP
Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam